Rear Diff Replacement at 36k

2020 Trd sport 4wd. So my powertrain warranty ran out in February and I'm at 36k miles. Been having a whine for some time and didn't get it checked. Toyota dealer drained the rear diff fluid last week and found metal in the fluid. They think bad pinion bearings or rust spots on bearings. Said I need a new rear diff around 3.5k. I called Toyota goodwill and they turned me down.

This is absolutely my own fault. When I bought out the lease on this truck I took it to a mechanic and had them do an expensive "used car check" and specifically had them check the rear diff. I just didn't metion the whine noise I heard because at the time it wasn't that loud. As time went on and it got louder I just didn't get it checked out - and people here even told me to - and now I feel like a total idiot.

 

Opportunity to regear and put a locker

 

Find an independent differential shop. Shouldn't cost more than $1,200 to rebuild one axle.

 

This. You could also buy someone’s third member who is regearing if you want to stay at the same gears

you don’t need the whole diff, but that’s all Toyota wants to sell you

 

Seems like the dealers often talk about metal in the oil when it isn't even true. I wouldn't do anything at all without seeing the damage/flakes/bad oil/worn bearings yourself. It wouldn't have rust spots unless it sat for a very long time undriven while the bearings ran dry enough to rust. Unlikely.

That said, if you did opt for a replacement, paying the dealer $3,500 for that job would be absolutely asinine. The part you need for an automatic trans truck is 41110-04130 and it sells for around $1700. Get that plus a gasket (42181-0K030) and some fluid and either do it yourself or find a friend to do it for you for cheap. No way in hell is it worth giving a dealer close to 2 grand for labor....it's like a 2.5-3 hour job max to swap.

Or if you know anyone with a press and regearing tools (really just a clamshell bearing puller), the diff could be taken apart and bearings replaced pretty easily. You'd want all 4 bearings, a new crush sleeve, pinion nut, and pinion seal.

Still, I doubt you even have a real problem. Actual diff failure is very rare and they all make noise.

 

This

and this

Worst case take a look around marketplace in your area. Sometimes private folks parting out trucks for one reason or another

 

I changed mine right around 30k mi and here's what my rear drain magnet looked like. There is some sludge but that's very normal. Dealers tell you to replace a lot of stuff unnecessarily so definitely find someone more qualified than the parts swap department and have them show you what the magnet looked like. If they conveniently forgot to take a picture, fill it and keep driving.

Mine whines as basically everyone else's whether they admit it or not. Has gotten louder around 10k mi and stayed the same since. Good luck and hope it's nothing.

 

Tacos can whine. All of mine have. A subtle whine when coasting or under light acceleration at 50-70 mph. Never have had an issue. IHMHO it's a normal phenomena exhibited by a fair number of Tacos out there.

Especially true. Did you just take their word that the metal found was truly indicative of a possibly fatal flaw? Finding some minor metal in fluid that's never been changed from day one is not uncommon. Perhaps even minisccule amounts in the next change if it had been done previously.

Start here. Find a known reputable tranny shop. Have them check it out and get their recommendations.
Please report back when it gets resolved.

 

Pinion bearing. Good local Independent should be able to fix you up, grand-ish all in.
.

 

Good suggestions offered above!

 

I think the dealer is looking to make a quick buck!

Great advice from other poster here on this forum.

If I were you, get a 2nd opinion from a reputable transmission shop or mechanic shop to diagnose. A big word of advise is NOT to tell the new mechanic who will diagnose your rear differential that your dealer said you need to replace it entirely. In other words, do not steer the diagnosis of the next mechanic by telling him what the dealer told you is the problem. Just tell them about the whine and that the differential fluid was recently changed by another shop. Then, let him truly diagnose it and see what he says.

Based on other comments about a universal whine, I would not panic and just drive it and monitor it. Unless you are hearing excessive whining or a loud, grinding noise, then just drive and enjoy your truck!

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Bet you dont really have a problem. Id drain and fill the diffs again after a few thousands miles and see what it looks like. Every single initial diff change ive ever done has metal shavings, sometimes with those little round casting discs from the axle housing drillout, and a lot of metal dust. The next service, the fluid was much cleaner. Had two 3rd gens that both whined, but 75-90 seemed to quiet it a little bit. Sold them at around 100k miles each. Sounds like you're being taken for a ride.

 

Yeah everyone around here is sort of full of shit unfortunately. Dealership said new rear carrier assembly. Took it to recommended mechanic and he confirmed what dealer saw and wants 2900. What kind of pissed me off is he didn't tell me up front he was going to charge 75 to look into it - only after.

Asked another recommended mechanic to just give me a quote over the phone and he was like it's going to take 8 hours to rebuild the differential you have and labor alone is 1600. Just called another place to get a quote. Sigh. Everyone wants their cut.

 

Yeah wish i would have read this before I paid another mechanic 75 to look into it. I told him what the dealer said and they wanted 3k and he was like yes and I'll charge you 2900

 

as mentioned, do your own maintenance and keep an eye on it. Mine has had a whine from day one, and many others. Maybe yours is louder and there is an issue? I dunno, but that's what I would do. It's probably fine.

 

Send your 3rd member to ECGS (East Coast Gear Supply.) I can only guess at the mountain of stock Tacoma gears they have piled up.

 

A whine doesn’t necessarily mean the differential is damaged nor does manufacturing debris on the magnetic plug. You need to open the case and inspect the gears. I would just put it back together and drive it.

Did you get to look at the oil and/or any of the insides of the diff?

 

Any downsides to not replacing and living with the whine?

 

So the mechanics time and experience should be free?

 

Drain the oil in a few months and see what it looks like. It's the easiest thing to service in the world. I would bet a dollar it comes out clean this time. Half of everyone you meet is a liar and half of those who aren't are totally incompetant.